Question: Dear FlightGuru,

I’m flying into Paris for a holiday, then taking the Eurostar train from Paris to London, before returning home from London Heathrow airport.

Please advise where and how I should make my VAT refund claims for items purchased in Paris, i.e. do I submit my French VAT refund claim forms at London Heathrow airport? Will they accept it?

Thank you.
- Ramesh

Answer: Dear Ramesh,

First of all, please note that in France you need to spend a minimum of €175 (approx. US $ 211 or INR 10,000) in one store, on the same day to be eligible for a VAT refund. In France, the VAT is 12%, so you will be refunded 12% of goods value. The VAT is not refunded when you are traveling within the European Union.  The Eurostar between Paris and London is within the EU, so you cannot claim the VAT refund in Paris. The VAT is only refunded when you leave the EU, so you will have to claim your VAT refund at London Heathrow, when you are on the way back home.

Here is what you need to do:

1. First, buy only at stores in Paris or other countries in the EU which display the VAT Refunds or Global Refunds sign. Some stores in France also process VAT refunds through Premier Refunds.
2. Ask the store to provide you with a Global Refunds or a Premier Refunds Tax Free export declaration form, mentioning the details of the goods purchased, the price paid, including VAT and the amount of refund applicable on that purchase. Keep all such forms with you along with the goods till you reach your last port of exit from the EU.
3. At your last port of exit from the EU (in your case London Heathrow), present the tax refund forms, along with the goods to the customs department, who will stamp the forms for you, no matter which EU country you made the purchases from.
4. Once the forms are stamped, you can either mail the forms to Global Reunds or Premier Refunds at mailboxes provided at the London Heathrow Airport, and they will send the refund to your credit card or by check within 4 weeks OR you can go to a Global Refunds or Premier Refunds counter at the airport and get a cash refund in the currency of your choice.

Remember, there are long queues at London Heathrow to get the VAT refund forms stamped by Customs, so arrive at least 1 hour earlier than usual. If the VAT refund amount is very small, it is not worth going through the hassle at every store and at the airport. Use the time to do more sightseeing instead, and enjoy your time in Europe.

I hope you find this information useful. Do let us know your experiences with the VAT refund at London Heathrow. Your feedback is very useful for other travelers in a similar situation. If you need any other information about VAT refunds,or any other airline, please write to us.

Bon Voyage!

- FlightGuru